Longlure
Anglerfish(Antennarius
multiocellatus)

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Longlure
anglerfish or Antennarius
multiocellatus are members of
the
family Antennariidae.
This fish is native to the western Atlantic
Ocean. These bottom
dwellers inhibit shallow coral reef formations
from the coastlines of Florida
to
northern South America.

This
is
an extremely interesting but one butt ugly fish. It has evolved into
one of the most specialized predators trolling the modern oceans. Even
its
somewhat grotesque appearance is an adaptation which serves to increase
it
predatory efficiency. This species is the quintessential essence of
survival of
the fittest. It is Darwinism at it finest.

The
name
longlure anglerfish is a direct connotation to its means of
predation. Anglerfish have highly specialized appendages that can be
extended
from the modified dorsal fins on their heads. The illicium is a slender
string-like apparatus that can be projected out in front of the fish
very much
like a fisherman casts out his fishing line. There is a thicker area at
the end
of the illicium referred to as an esca. This esca acts as bait dangling
on the
end of the “fishing line.” This fish has the
ability to wiggle its lure to
further entice its unsuspecting prey. When the prey draws close enough
the
angler swallows them whole. The illicium on this particular species is
longer
than those on other anglerfish, thus the name longlure anglerfish.

This
is
not an attractive animal. They have modified scales called dermal
spicules. These spicules give the fish a very rough body texture not
unlike the
warts on the skin of a toad. They are in fact commonly called frogfish.
Longlures
can be red, orange, yellow or brown.
The combination of their coloration and rough exterior makes for the
ultimate
camouflage. They will sit motionlessly atop a pile of reef rubble and
blend in
perfectly with the sponge and coral debris around them. Their presence
is all
but unnoticeable when they cast out their lures to loll unsuspecting
victims.

Nature
has equipped this frogfish with other unique adaptations to their
environment.
Their pelvic fins have evolved into
what very much resembles a foot.
Frogfish
do not swim around the ocean floor like other bottom dwelling species.
They
walk on their modified pelvic fins.
They can also inflate their bodies
by
sucking in water to make them harder for a would-be predator to
swallow.

Anglerfish
are found in saltwater bodies in various regions of the world.
Populations
exist in the eastern Pacific, the Red
Sea, Sea
of Cortez,
around the Galapagos
Islands and from Japan
to New
Zealand.
There are even species endemic to the Hawaiian
Islands.
However most of these are deep water species and can not be kept in
home
aquariums.

Longlures can reach a
maximum length of 8 inches. But they are typically
much smaller.

These
are voracious carnivores. They can swallow a fish or a crustacean
almost as large as they are. If food is abundant they will consume a
large
portion of their body weight. But they do not feed on a daily basis in
nature.
Every two or three days is sufficient to sustain them.

Its
predatory nature and large appetite make longhorns a poor choice for
both reef and community aquariums. They are best sited for a
mono-species tank.
In captivity they can be fed live feeder shrimp. With a little patience
they
can successfully be weaned off of live food.